By Princess Chukwuneke
Surrogacy is a hotly debated topic in Europe. The general public currently awaits the results of the March 15th meeting held in Paris by the Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to discuss a draft report on “human rights and ethical issues related to surrogacy.” Whether or not this report was adopted is still unknown.
If the report …

By Princess Chukwuneke
On February 24th, 2016, Lindsey, a 26-year-old woman from Texas, became the first in the United States to receive a uterus transplant. Still in its early stages, the uterus transplant surgery is meant to assist women who hope to get pregnant but are unable to because they lack a uterus or possess a damaged one. According to the New York Times, it is estimated that 3-5% of women of childbearing …

By Alexis Vaujany
The immune system can be one of the most powerful weapons against cancer. After several unsuccessful attempts, scientists have discovered a promising and effective way to guide the immune system to kill cancer cells. In fact, some advanced cancers have gone into complete remission. Unfortunately this type of procedure is not a “one size fits all” treatment of cancer. It cannot be used for all cancers as it is only …

By Rimah Jaber
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a standard procedure in several countries around the world. However, since 2000, IVF has been banned in Costa Rica despite an order to lift it by an international court. The country’s legislature and courts continue to delay the process after four years.
Although the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) ruled that countries lacking access to IVF violate people’s “right to private and family life” in 2012, Costa …

By Ellen Arkfeld
Recently, the committee of the Canadian parliament has recommended that the federal government make assisted dying legal for conditions including mental illness.  New euthanasia laws are being crafted because the Supreme Court ruled that prohibiting physician-assisted death is unconstitutional in Carter v. Canada last February.
A poll by Insights West has found that over three quarters of Canadians are in favor of the new euthanasia law. But those in …

By Princess Chukwuneke
Last Wednesday, the government task force for controversial issues in Sweden concluded that surrogate pregnancies should be banned with no exceptions. According to lead investigator, Eva Wendel Rosenberg, this decision was made to stop women from being directly or indirectly pressured into becoming surrogate mothers. She added that there are several risks of becoming pregnant and giving birth that must be considered.
Contrary to the task force’s decision, Sweden’s National Council …

By Princess Chukwuneke
At the start of 2016, China amended its one-child policy that had been in motion for 30 years. Perhaps it was because surrogacy had wormed its way into family planning among the richer members of the Chinese population, a concern for a vast majority of citizens who could not afford such a luxury. The amendment could have also been a response to China’s aging and increasingly male population. Whatever the case, …

By Maria Coluccio
In the TED Talk “We can now edit our DNA. But let’s do so wisely”, geneticist Jennifer Doudna talks about the rapidly developing field of gene editing technology and its serious ethical implications. A few years ago, Doudna created CRISPR-Cas9, a gene editing technology that has the potential to cure chronic genetic diseases. It works by identifying, cutting, and degrading specific harmful viral DNA.  Doudna explained how the process …

By Alexis Vaujany
In response to the atrocities committed by Nazi doctors in WWII, the Declaration of Geneva or Physician’s Oath was drafted. Since its creation, only minor changes has been made. The World Medical Association (WMA) (representing 112 National Medical Associations) is calling for a necessary update.The medical environment and global society has radically evolved and the 67 year old oath is not in line with the current values and …

By Maria Coluccio
“Preventing the Commercialization of Reproduction: Canada’s Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHRA)”
The world of healthcare is always growing, and healthcare technologies are evolving at a
faster pace than their regulations. In 2004, Canada passed the Assisted Human Reproduction
Act (AHRA) in order to monitor, regulate, and enforce Assisted Human Reproduction research
and activities. One of its most controversial provisions is the criminalization of payment for
sperm, eggs, or the services of surrogate mothers.
Violators …